CBD for Dog Pain – A Pet Parent’s Guide

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the ins-and-outs of CBD for dog pain. We’ll touch on how it works, what to use it for and how to choose a quality product.

The popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) for dogs has exploded over the last couple of years.  Consequently, chances are good that you know at least one pet parent that’s either used it or considered using it for their dog or cat.  One common condition that many pet parents are using CBD for is dog pain relief.

Just like us, our furry friends can suffer from pain and impaired mobility. The pain may be due to an injury, or something more long term like arthritis or chronic inflammation.  And for many a pet parent that has seen their fur babies suffer, a natural, safe and effective treatment option like CBD for their dog’s pain is appealing.

In a largely unregulated industry, CBD oil is often claimed to be a panacea that can cure almost everything.  Unfortunately, this is simply not true. The way CBD works and how effective it is at relieving pain in dogs is much more nuanced.  However, good scientific research is emerging that shows great promise for the ability of CBD oil to help relieve dog pain

How CBD Works

Most vertebrates have a system of interconnected receptors throughout the brain, nervous system, organs and glands.  This system is called the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Its main job is to help maintain balance within, and between, the various biological process and systems in your dog’s body.  As a result, when this system is out of balance it can cause a variety of health issues such as pain.

The ECS is also what allows cannabinoids like CBD to interact with your dog’s body.  When you give your dog a dose of CBD oil, it interacts with the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. It does so in such a way that it opens up a type of two-way communication between the ECS and the other parts of your dog’s body. This allows the body to either decrease or increase its immune responses and block neural signals as needed.

This is also why CBD seems to help modulate pain via the ECS. Scientists have found that CB1 receptors are involved with pain signals while CB2 receptors can stimulate opioid receptors.  Researchers now think that CBD can help inhibit and control pain by interacting with these two receptors.

But it also has the ability to block pain signals.  When your dog experiences any kind of pain, it is because certain receptors called glycine receptors (GlyRs) are activated.  These GlyRs receptors play an important role in your dog’s sensory nervous system and are what cause the sensation of pain. Research has now shown that CBD stops the activation of GlyRs receptors, effectively blocking pain signals.

What do Scientific Studies Say?

The data from two recent clinical trials demonstrate the promise of CBD as an effective treatment option for dogs suffering from pain.  However, it is important to bear in mind that we are in the early stages of CBD research. We still have much to learn about how CBD works within the body.  That is why more research needs to be done before we can draw definitive conclusions. 

CBD for Arthritis in Dogs: Cornell University

In this 2018 study, researchers from Cornell University wanted to find out how CBD works for the treatment of pain in arthritic dogs, how effective it is and if it’s safe. They found that not only was it safe, but that the dogs experienced a significant level of pain relief from, and an increase in activity, after being treated with CBD.  The data suggests that 2 mg/kg of CBD given twice daily is an effective dose.

CBD for Osteoarthritic Pain in Dogs: Liberty Leaf

In August of 2018, a collaborative clinical trial between Liberty Leaf and ESEV R&D investigated the effect of CBD oil for pain relief in dogs. The trial focused on treating large-breed dogs with chronic osteoarthritic (OA) pain. In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, the experimental group of OA dogs was given a daily dose of 0.3 mg/kg of a CBD-infused oil formulation for 4 weeks.  When compared to the experimental group, the data showed that the group of dogs receiving the CBD oil showed a marked reduction in pain as well as an overall improvement in functional performance.

Is Using CBD for My Dog’s Pain Safe?

In 2016 a team of scientists from the Colorado State University, conducted an experiment to assess the safety of CBD on healthy dogs.  In this study, 30 healthy dogs were given either 75 mg or 150 mg of CBD in three different methods of administration: via CBD capsules, a CBD oil tincture or in a CBD cream applied to the skin. 

What the researchers found was promising.  They concluded that using CBD oil in dogs is safe enough to justify further studies.  They also found that the CBD tincture was the most effective. That is why we always recommend using a CBD oil or tincture as a first choice.

How To Choose A Quality CBD Product

As mentioned earlier, the CBD industry is unregulated. This ultimately means that not all CBD oil products for dogs are created equally.  Using a high-vs low-quality CBD oil will make a dramatic difference in terms of your dog’s pain relief.  Unfortunately, the lack of regulation also opens up the door for dishonesty and poor quality products. As a result, it is important to do your research before choosing a CBD oil for your dog’s pain relief.  So, to help you out, we’ve put together a list of quick tips that will help you choose a quality product.

Quick Tips: How to Choose a Quality CBD Product

1. Make sure the CBD oil is formulated specifically for dogIt can be tempting to give your dog the same CBD oil you are using. But please don’t. Human products often contain ingredients like flavorings, essential oils, and colorings that are fine for us but can be toxic to your dog.
2. Check the THC contentNot only is this important to make sure you are within federal guidelines, but research shows that THC can be harmful to dogs.  Choose a broad-spectrum CBD oil that has had the THC removed but still contains all of the other beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes.
3. Learn how to read a CBD lab report and don’t buy a product that doesn’t have oneFirstly, this doesn’t mean you have to become a CBD nerd but there are a few things you should be able to understand. Secondly, no legitimate CBD manufacturer will sell their products without having one. You should always check the following on the lab report: Publish date, CBD content, lab accreditation, and contaminants, making sure that everything is as it should be.
4. Read the ingredients and choose a natural, simple formulationEven if a CBD oil is formulated specifically for dogs, some manufacturers still put a ton of other additives in there. This can be for various reasons, including improving flavor and consistency to make it more palatable for your dog. These are fine as long as they are natural. Similarly, some CBD oils that are formulated for dogs might contain added ingredients that may actually be beneficial, and compliment the effects of CBD.
5. Determine dosageThis is probably one of the most confusing things about buying a CBD oil for your dog. As a pet parent, you don’t want to give your dog too much, but you also want them to find relief so you don’t want to give them too little either. To help you figure out the dosage, you can visit our dosing guide here [link to CBD Oil Benefits for Dogs].
6. Then check the CBD contentOnce you’ve decided on that, you can calculate the amount of CBD per serving. So for instance, the oil should come with a dropper that is usually equal to 1 ml of liquid. You can count this as a serving, meaning that a 30 ml bottle contains 30 servings. To calculate the dosage per serving, divide the total CBD content of the bottle by the number of servings. This will tell you how much CBD your dog will get per serving.
7. Work within your budget:As a pet parent, we know you want to buy the best CBD oil for your pet. Price is an important aspect of any buying decision and unfortunately, CBD oils can be quite expensive. But the good news is that affordable CBD oils are not necessarily low-quality products. Often times expensive products are expensive because you’re paying for trendy packaging or excessive shipping costs. At the end of the day, CBD is CBD, no matter how pretty the packaging. So we recommend comparing CBD oils of the same strength that you can afford and follow the above-mentioned recommendations. If you do your homework, you should find a good quality CBD oil for your dog that doesn’t break the bank.